UNC announced earlier this week that alumnus and social entrepreneur Rye Barcott will deliver the University’s spring commencement address on May 13 at Keenan Stadium.

Barcott co-founded Carolina for Kibera, or CFK, through the Center for Global Initiatives at UNC. CFK is a non-governmental program located in the impoverished Kibera neighborhood of Nairobi, Kenya.

CFK was named a Time Magazine and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation “Hero of Global Health”.

Barcott also served five years in the Marine Corps in Bosnia.

“I’m grateful for the opportunities I’ve had to serve my country and I can’t wait to be in a sea of Carolina blue in Kenan Stadium with my kids by my side feeling the love,” said Barcott.

Barcott has a bachelor’s degree in peace, war and defense and international studies from UNC, along with master’s degrees in public administration and business administration from Harvard.

He also wrote a book called “It Happened on the Way to War: A Marine’s Path to Peace,” a book about social entrepreneurship during military service.

UNC Chancellor Carol Folt, who chose Barcott, will preside over the ceremony.

“Rye’s out-of-the box thinking and global entrepreneurial work – ranging from creating holistic youth development programs to establishing a clinic treating thousands in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has been recognized by the President of the United States, the World Economic Forum and international philanthropists, and is taught in graduate schools around the world. I know his authenticity and example of selfless service to others, mixed with his personal humility and humor, will inspire the Class of 2018 as they begin their own journeys,” said Folt.

Commencement will begin at 9 a.m. More information is available at commencement.unc.edu.

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